Diana Side Lever Cocking Rod Adjustment Question

[cjtamu]

Gave my 52 Luxus a clean and lube. Breech seal looked a little rough so replaced it with a Maccari. Can’t get the cocking rod just right. One turn out right now. Stays in place just barely when fired but doesn’t have that nice snap when closing. If I go another 1/2 turn tight then I CANNOT get the pins back in. And I’m not a man that uses “can’t “ lightly LOL. Tried it both disconnecting the rod and leaving rod connected and disconnecting cocking arm from receiver. No dice. Probably need another 0.1-0.2 mm movement and it’s just not there no matter which pin I’m trying to install. Anything to do besides shoot it a little and hope the breech seal compresses enough?

[Methuselah]

If the old breach seal was shimmed it can be very difficult to see, even with magnification. I don't own anything side-cocking, so just thinking go back to what changed...

[Roadworthy]

Try adjusting the rod and replacing the pins while the cocking lever is away from the gun.  This is most easily done while the gun is cocked or the trigger group and spring are removed.  After adjusting the rod slide the pins in but leave the e clips off, it makes it easier to pay.

[cjtamu]

Try adjusting the rod and replacing the pins while the cocking lever is away from the gun.  This is most easily done while the gun is cocked or the trigger group and spring are removed.  After adjusting the rod slide the pins in but leave the e clips off, it makes it easier to pay.

Eek. I assume you’ve fashioned something to sit in the breech just in case? Put about 50 test shots through last night. Power is back, accuracy was good. Hoping seal compressed enough to let me adjust. If that doesn’t work then I may have to try your way.

[Nitrocrushr]

Try adjusting the rod and replacing the pins while the cocking lever is away from the gun.  This is most easily done while the gun is cocked or the trigger group and spring are removed.  After adjusting the rod slide the pins in but leave the e clips off, it makes it easier to pay.

Eek. I assume you’ve fashioned something to sit in the breech just in case? Put about 50 test shots through last night. Power is back, accuracy was good. Hoping seal compressed enough to let me adjust. If that doesn’t work then I may have to try your way.

Chris, I make my adjustments without cocking the rifle.

Flip rifle upside down
Unlatch cocking lever
Remove e-clip from the 4mm pin at the back of the threaded linkage rod
Pop the 4mm pin out.
Hold the block at the end of threaded rod with small adjustable or suitable wrench
Crack the locking nut loose
Keep threaded rod from turning as you spin the block 1/2 turn one way or the other
Insert 4mm pin and test tension
If it’s good, then hold block with wrench and snug up locking nut
Reinstall e-clip and your good to go.

The reason I mentioned not losing orientation of the threaded rod is because they will typically take a set and have a preference for which way they bow when closing.  The rod should have a slight outward bow when closing the cocking handle.

If the threaded rod bows inward it will rub agianst the sled reset arm which is bad.  That will defeat what the sled is trying to do and you will begin to feel some recoil, which will cause accuracy to suffer.

When that happens you need to follow the steps above, but rotate the threaded rod 180 degrees, then fine tune your lockup pressure from there.

Hope this helps!

Edit; Sorry Chris, I just reread your post and see that you’re working on a 52, so no sled to worry about.

Steve

[cjtamu]

Thanks, Steve. Might be the issue because it’s set 1/2 turn from where it was before. Noticed it bows easier one way than the other. Compared to my 56 last night and it’s almost like there’s a second bend in the rod, I believe from being bowed in wrong direction. I literally need 0.1 to 0.2 mm. Pin will go 3/4 down but can’t get through bottom hole. Hopefully spinning it will give me that couple tenths I need. Nope, no sled, but still an excellent shooter. We should have cool weather soon and I can finally get to test n tune on the 56. And it’s already excellent, can’t wait.

[cjtamu]

Man it’s just crazy. Line it up with cocking handle lightly open and the pin slides right through top hole and through block smooth like butter. Will actually lift out with magnetic screwdriver. But, will NOT line up and go through bottom hole in cocking arm. Cocking arm tension is perfect, nice soft little snap when closing. No amount of wiggling tweaking twisting or cursing will get it through that hole. Something has to be bent. Pin rolls true, so maybe cocking arm? Or maybe hole in block is wallowed out a little and letting pin move just enough. Going to fool with it when I have more time.

[Nitrocrushr]

Man it’s just crazy. Line it up with cocking handle lightly open and the pin slides right through top hole and through block smooth like butter. Will actually lift out with magnetic screwdriver. But, will NOT line up and go through bottom hole in cocking arm. Cocking arm tension is perfect, nice soft little snap when closing. No amount of wiggling tweaking twisting or cursing will get it through that hole. Something has to be bent. Pin rolls true, so maybe cocking arm? Or maybe hole in block is wallowed out a little and letting pin move just enough. Going to fool with it when I have more time.

Will the pin drop through the holes in the cocking arm without having the block in place?

[cjtamu]

Man it’s just crazy. Line it up with cocking handle lightly open and the pin slides right through top hole and through block smooth like butter. Will actually lift out with magnetic screwdriver. But, will NOT line up and go through bottom hole in cocking arm. Cocking arm tension is perfect, nice soft little snap when closing. No amount of wiggling tweaking twisting or cursing will get it through that hole. Something has to be bent. Pin rolls true, so maybe cocking arm? Or maybe hole in block is wallowed out a little and letting pin move just enough. Going to fool with it when I have more time.

Will the pin drop through the holes in the cocking arm without having the block in place?

Yep. I think the little bit of tension is moving the block 0.1 mm toward front of gun. Going to see if I can find something to use as dummy pin.

[cjtamu]

Got it. Previous owner obviously bent this assembly. Can actually see elevation of block move up and down when rotated. Just had to keep loosening lock nut, move rod slightly, tighten and re-test. Finally, while standing on one leg, holding mouth just right, holding breath and praying got the pin to slip through with rod adjusted properly. Need to order some spare parts anyway, going to put new rod on the list. Thanks for the help.